by Marius Ringsrud
October 10, 2013 – The Norwegian Ministry of Finance has constituted a committee of three members to plan the future of commemorative coin production in Norway. The three-member committee is administrated by one of resigned Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg’s vice ministers, Per J. Jordal, from the Centre party.
Norwegian commemorative coins and the Central Bank’s guidelines
The Central Bank’s guidelines for commemorative coins relate to two different types of coin. One type of coin is regular circulation coins with special motifs; these coins celebrate persons and historical events. The Jordal committee’s mandate, however, deals with the other kind of commemorative coins, which are usually only struck in connection with events of great national importance, such as the celebration of the constitution’s 100-, 150- and 175-year anniversaries. These latter coins are covered by the Central Bank law § 16 and they are made of precious metals.
According to the mandate, the committee may suggest changes in the Central Bank’s guidelines. Does the Central Bank need more accurate guidelines to regulate commemorative coin production? The mandate also asks the committee to bring out some suggestions for Norwegian commemorative coin production between 2018 and 2028. There are many historical moments to commemorate. For instance, the French marshal Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, later king Carl XIV Johan of Sweden and Norway, can be celebrated for the 200 years coronation anniversary in 2018. 1825 is another key date, which has been celebrated with a commemorative coin once before (1975). This year was the official start of the massive emigration of Norwegians to America. 800,000 Norwegians fled the country hoping for a better future for themselves and their families.
The ministry’s press release may be found here.
This is the commemorative coins’ page of Norges Bank.